INSPIRING RYAN
Bowen hails crocked pal
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JARROD BOWEN says Ryan Mason won’t be far from the thoughts of his former Hull teammates tonight.
Tonight’s FA Cup fifth-round tie sees the Tigers visit Chelsea for the first time since Mason fractured his skull in a sickening clash of heads with Gary Cahill in January last year.
This week, the 26-year-old retired on medical advice.
Mason broke the news of his retirement to the squad at training on Tuesday in an emotional speech.
“What Ryan said to us was an inspiration,” said striker Bowen, who hopes to dedicate a goal to his pal tonight.
“You could see he was gutted. We were all gutted for him but he gave a talk we’ll all remember.
“He underlined, especially to the younger lads, how lucky we are and how vital it is to make the most of our opportunity and to enjoy every day.
Serious
“There are so many people who would like to be in our shoes and he told us not to forget that.”
Bowen was on the bench at Stamford Bridge 13 months ago when Mason was left needing life-saving surgery.
“At first you think it’s a clash of heads, but it was soon clear that it was something more serious,” he said.
“The medical team were quickly shouted on and, straight away, you realised something wasn’t right.
“I’d never seen anything like that and I never want to again. It affected the whole club.”
Manager Nigel Adkins has 12 players unavailable – with three of his back four ineligible as they are all on loan from the Premier League champions.
Bowen hopes Chelsea’s Eden Hazard will play so they can swap shirts at the end – if he can pluck up the courage to ask.
He added: “I’m a bit scared to ask for his shirt in case he looks at me a bit strangely, so I might see if our kit man can get it for me after the game.”